Michael Todd Haul

Happy Friday!

So last month, my Ipsy bag included a Michael Todd product. I heard from several beauty gurus on YouTube that they liked their products. Likewise, I really enjoyed the Jojoba Charcoal Facial Scrub sample I received! I could not help myself...I took advantage of the 30% off coupon code and purchased some products I was eyeing!!! I cannot wait to share them with you!

Heads up...this is a lengthy and comprehensive review. Please feel free to skip around!!! Or just look at pictures.

Jojoba Charcoal Facial Scrub 3.4 oz // $18.00

This was the facial scrub I got in my Ipsy bag. I never trust scrub samples because I have relatively sensitive skin. I also have combination skin--dry cheeks and oily T-zone. I tend to break out mostly around my mouth area. Occasionally, I get breakouts on between my brows. Rarely, I get breakouts along my jaw. I had a terrible habit of touching my face and eating all the wrong foods... If you are interested in knowing about my skin's history, let me know!

Anyways, the scrub contains Jojoba wax beads and charcoal. Color-wise, it's a charcoal gray with fine particles. Texture-wise, it's not a gel, but it's not a runny liquid either. The particles are fine, so it does not irritate the skin.

I apply it on my cheeks, forehead, nose, and chin, and then I gently massage it into my face in circular motions. I like to leave it on for a little bit before washing it off because charcoal is supposed to draw out impurities and toxin in the skin and pores. After washing it off, my skin feels soft and clean. The scrub also has a acidic/lime scent to it. I find it extra refreshing. Some facial scrubs leave your skin feeling tight and rubbery. This does not!! I love the way it rejuvenates my tired face without much work. I would advise using it 2 times a week at most, otherwise you might over exfoliate and wash out too much oil. I like to follow up with a toner that rebalances the pH of my skin. This will prevent breakouts!

Walnut Grapefruit Polishing Scrub (Exfoliating Body Treatment) // $14.00

Okay...this is going to sound weird. I was completely caught off guard in the shower. I opened the cap and squeezed some of the product into my hand. Initially, I shook the tube to see what kind of consistency the product had. It sounded runny...and I was right! I squeezed out a little too much...and it got on the cap and a bit on my tub floor. WHAT A WASTE! (I screamed that in my head...) So first tip, be careful when dispensing. It has a strong citrus scent, which happens to be my favorite scent; however, when I took one look at what was in my hand...my stomach kind of turned. It was a runny, brown, and silty looking...fluid. I will let you decide what it reminds me of.........

Anyways, I spotted it all over my body and began massaging it in circular motions all over. I focused on my back, underarms, and legs. I was skeptical whether or not it would lather up, but it did! You can also feel all the exfoliating particles working on every inch of your body. This completely makes up for the shock-factor earlier, haha! It rinsed off pretty quickly. I was scared of using it in the more sensitive regions because it has exfoliating particle, but it was surprisingly gentle. The scent doesn't stay, unfortunately.

My skin felt super soft afterwards. Oh my goodness. It does exactly what it says it will do--the walnut shell powder buffs away dead skin, leaving it soft and smooth.

Honey and Oat Gentle Deep Pore Cleanser 7.1 oz // $24.00

The product has a citrus scent and looks like light honey. The consistency is similar to honey--it actually feels thick (for comparison...it's thicker than Biore's ice cleanser). They advertise the product to be hydrating with a sweet-lemony scent. It also has a base of aloe vera juice.

The cleanser lathers up well without being too foamy. I love the scent!!! It kind of reminds me of a honey mask because of the smooth texture. After massaging it into my face in circular motions, I rinsed it off with warm water. I wish it had mint in it for a cooling effect! The first thing I noticed after patting my face dry was how it glowed. Yes, glowed! There was a youthful glow to my cheeks. I also noticed my skin was slightly more hydrated. I wish I had makeup on to see how well it removed it.

Post cleansers, I always use a toner. Even if it says it's hydrating! It's very important to rebalance your skin's pH, otherwise your skin will overcompensate and produce excess facial oils. Toner also catches left over impurities on your skin. My cotton pad barely had any residue, meaning the cleanser does a good job at cleansing!

The bottle design is travel friendly. The pump can be closed by pushing it down as if you are pumping product out and twisting it into the neck. Although I like the glow it leaves, there are drug store cleansers that work just as well.

Charcoal Detox Deep Pore Gel Cleanser // $24.00

This cleanser is extremely similar in scent and texture to the Honey and Oat. The only thing different is the color--it's a murky gray. I wasn't very impressed with this cleanser after using the Honey and Oat because they are basically the same thing! Strange...I wonder if the charcoal makes that much of a difference. However, I feel like I can easily substitute this with the Jojoba Charcoal Facial Scrub and pair it with the Honey and Oat and be happy with the results.

It did not lather as well as the Honey and Oat and I found it to be slightly harsher on the skin. It left my skin a little dry. I suggest pairing this with a moisturizer to rehydrate the skin.

Pepermint Wake Up Daily Body Wash (pH balanced with antioxidants) // $14.00

The packaging of this body wash is way better than the Walnut Grapefruit one. I have more control over how to dispense the product and no surprises since I have to turn it upside down first. This body wash smells like chemical minty citrus. Not my favorite scent so far. The gel looks like the Hone and Oat face wash and has a similar consistency. I like how the bottle cap can actually be removed, so you can potentially refill it. (That's one less bottle to worry about!)

I...need to stop looking forward to trying things because I get disappointed easily. Like I said before, it doesn't smell very good. When I dispensed the product into my hands, it had a jelly-like body. It sat in my hands, which was weird! Furthermore, it didn't lather up as much as I would like. However, I did like how my skin felt after rinsing and drying off. It doesn't leave behind the nicest scent either.

So...what would I buy again?

My top 3 are the Jojoba Charcoal Scrub (surprise, surprise!), Walnut Grapefruit Polishing Scrub, and Honey and Oat Cleanser. I think I can survive without the Cleanser, but I like the dewy glow it gave my skin.

I do not think I will repurchase the Charcoal Detox or the Peppermint Wake Up. They work, but they just did not 'wow' me the way the other 3 did.

What product would you like to try? Let me know! Until next time.

<3 Debbie

I was not sponsored. All products were purchased by me.